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March 24th, 2013

3/24/2013

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Luke 19:28-44
Today is Palm Sunday, ‘The Triumphal Entry’.
Our Lord Jesus enters Jerusalem city on a donkey’s back.
This event was recorded in all the 4 Gospels.
The Gospel writers had in mind a particular segment of people when they were describing this event.
Matthew was writing to Jewish people with an emphasis on Jesus as King.
Mark was writing to Romans describing the Lord as a perfect  servant.
Luke was writing to Greeks and Gentiles with an emphasis on Jesus as the Son of Man.
John was writing to the whole world declaring Jesus as Son of God.

The first 9 verses are common to all Gospels with little variations.
Riding on a donkey was to fulfill a prophetic saying recorded in Zech 9:9
“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a
donkey.”

Matt says “Hosanna” (save) to the Son of David because he was talking to Jews.
Mark simply says “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David” because of Romans and Roman rule.
Luke adds “peace in heaven and glory in the highest” for the sake of Greeks and Gentiles.
John declares “blessed is the King of Israel” making a historical connection.
If we look at the crowds followed HIM to Jerusalem, we can observe three groups of people.
Verse 37 describes The Committed People who were followers of the Lord Jesus throughout HIS earthly ministry.
Many had witnessed miracles after miracles, heard HIM taught and even saw dead being raised.
A committed follower recognizes Jesus and accepts HIM as Lord and Savior.
Committed followers give willingly of themselves for the cause of Christ. 
A committed follower of Christ is the one who follows Lord Jesus no matter what. 
Let me share a real life incident happened recently.
A young aspiring software engineer has done an extra-ordinary thing just because she believed in Lord Jesus as her Savior and committed her life to HIM.
She felt in her heart that the Lord was telling her to shed all falsehood in her life.
She told her employer that her experience reflected on the application was false and not true.
She was immediately fired from her job.
She put her job, security and status in this country on line for the sake of the Lord.
She knows that she may have to go back to her country if her visa is not renewed.
All that she aspired and wanted to be in life is at risk just because she trusted the Lord and wanted to do the right thing before the Lord.
Verse 39 describes The Curious People
People like the Pharisees.
They were not shouting, or singing or waving palm branches or laying their clothes before the Lord.
They were not in the least bit interested in being identified with the Lord.
But they do follow the Lord for the wrong reasons.
They try to find fault with people who followed Jesus, criticize them and ridicule them..
The curious avoid any commitment to the Lord for the fear of status, society and security.
They think that Lord Jesus came to serve them but not to save them.
For many God is just an ATM card to meet all their needs.
For some it is just physical healing they seek from the Lord.
To some the Lord should help them to get over their difficulties and problems.
Such people will be condemned for not making the next step to accept and believe in the Lord as Messiah.
Verses 41-44 show a glimpse of The Condemned People
Lord was particularly referring to the people lived during HIS time at Jerusalem.
When Lord Jesus came to them they failed to recognize HIM as God.
Many see Lord Jesus as a good man, a prophet or a wise man today.
But never accept HIM as Savior who saves from their sin.
Such people stand condemned to eternal HELL for rejecting the Lord Jesus.
The committed are blessed with eternal life and a definite place in HEAVEN.
The curious still have time to repent and commit their life to HIM.
My friend, if you just remain as a curious person you can never know Lord Jesus personally.
Which group identifies you the most?


 
 
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    Author

    Pastor John Sesham
    Abundant Grace Community Church, Hayward.

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